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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton questioned Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s absence from the campaign trail during President Donald Trump’s rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, prompting a response from his opponent’s campaign less than a month before the November midterm elections.
Paxton led the crowd in chanting “Where is Talarico?” while asserting that the Democrat had not been seen campaigning in Texas for 11 days.
Talarico’s campaign told Fox News Digital that the Democrat has been sick with the flu and is expected to return to the campaign trail this weekend.
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President Donald Trump, left, listens as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during a campaign rally at Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio on Oct. 7, 2026. (Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
“After holding more than 100 public events and shaking tens of thousands of hands, James came down with the flu but will be back on the trail this weekend,” JT Ennis, a campaign spokesperson for Talarico told Fox News Digital. “Ken Paxton has been ignoring Texans this entire campaign, and his priorities are clear: he doesn’t answer to the people of this state — he answers to his billionaire megadonors and special interests.”
The statement from Talarico campaign spokesperson JT Ennis also criticized Paxton’s campaign priorities, pushing back against the Republican’s remarks as the two candidates compete for a U.S. Senate seat.
Trump also questioned Talarico’s whereabouts during his remarks, repeatedly referencing the Democrat’s absence while campaigning on Paxton’s behalf.
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President Donald Trump watches a video during a campaign rally at Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio on Oct. 7, 2026. Trump visited Texas to campaign for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The president suggested without evidence that Talarico had become sick after eating meat for political reasons, mocking the Democrat’s dietary preferences.
Trump also criticized Talarico’s positions on immigration, public safety and education, while praising Paxton’s record as Texas attorney general and urging voters to support his Senate bid.
The president emphasized the importance of the Texas race to Republicans’ efforts to maintain control of Congress, warning supporters about the consequences of Democrats gaining seats in the Senate.
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Democrat candidate for US Senate James Talarico speaks during a rally in San Antonio, Texas, on May 29, 2026. ((Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images))
Trump’s appearance in San Antonio was part of a broader effort to mobilize Republican voters ahead of the midterm elections. He urged attendees to participate in early voting, which begins Oct. 19 in Texas, or cast their ballots on Election Day.
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The exchange over Talarico’s whereabouts comes as the candidates enter the final weeks of the campaign, with the Democrat’s team indicating he will resume public appearances this weekend.